Overview

• Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply that the government takes no position on matters of faith and religion.
• India has conveyed this non-interference stance to China and reiterated that it will continue to uphold freedom of religion for all.
• The Dalai Lama announced on July 2 that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue, ending speculation over its future.
• His office stated that the Gaden Phodrang Trust holds the sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation and that no other party should intervene.
• China maintains that a future Dalai Lama must receive its approval, while CTA president Penpa Tsering has said India is a likely place for the reincarnation and cautioned that discussion is premature.